Modular block construction system

ABSTRACT

A modular construction system is disclosed comprising a plurality of identical module blocks. Each module block comprises a nominally cubical shape, every face of which is a square with three unit by three unit dimensions. Located at the center of a plurality of the faces of the module block is an indentation having a square shape with one unit by one unit dimensions. Extending outward from the module block are a plurality of projections each having a square cross-sectional shape with one unit by one unit dimensions. Each projection is adapted for insertion into an indentation in the face of another module block thereby forming a constructive assembly.

United States Patent [191 Generaux MODULAR BLOCK CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM[76] Inventor: Stephen P. Generaux, 3450 Algonquin Circle, Las Vegas,Nev. 89109 [22] Filed: Nov. 1, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 519,983

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,218,588 12/1959 France 46/25 [451 Nov.18, 1975 Primary Examiner-Harland S. Skogquist Attorney, Agent, orFirmCahill, Sutton & Thomas [57] ABSTRACT A modular construction systemis disclosed comprising a plurality of identical module blocks. Eachmodule block comprises a nominally cubical shape, every face of which isa square with three unit by three unit dimensions. Located at the centerof a plurality of the faces of the module block is an indentation havinga square shape with one unit by one unit dimensions. Extending outwardfrom the module block are a plurality of projections each having asquare crosssectional shape with one unit by one unit dimensions. Eachprojection is adapted for insertion into an indentation in the face ofanother module block thereby forming a constructive assembly.

3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 9/1970 United Kingdom 46/25 .8. Patent Nov.18, 1

MODULAR BLOCK CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION lized amodule which is connected to other modules of the system by pins, clipsor similar fastening arrangements. Not only does the use of suchfasteningdevices detract from the aesthetic appearance of the finishedstructure, such devices are subject to being misplaced or damagedbetween uses.

Another category of prior art structure is an arrangement of projectionsand interlocking grooves or channels which permit the interlocking ofmodules of the building system. Such modules become shortlived in use,due to wear and the readily broken interlocking mechanisms.

Yet anotherarrangement of the prior art has been to use special surfacecoatings to provide a cohesiveness between mated surfaces or through theuse of magnets embedded in or below the surface of the module; Such anarrangement introduces substantial expense and creates a system wherethe individual modules are readily separated when the assembly is movedor handled.

An additional category of prior art modular construction system elementsinvolves the use of a single, repetitive module which includes anintegral portion which interfits with a mating portion of anotheridentically shaped module. This arrangement has the advantages ofeconomy and convenience. However, the relative simplicity of such priorart arrangements severely limits the number of interfitting combinationsand variety of resulting construction assemblies.

A prior art attempt to minimize the shortcomings described above hasinvolved the use of a system having several different shaped components.Although there are some advantages of such systems, they have thedisadvantage of increased manufacturing cost, inventory problems andneedless complication.

An embodiment of the present invention obviates the limitations outlinedabove, yet provides a single module which may be securely interfittedwith other identical modules to form a structural unit having asubstantial number of combinations and resulting variety. Four modulesembodying this invention could be interfitted in over five thousanddifferent ways.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Each module of the construction block assemblycomprising the embodiment of the invention chosen for illustration isidentical to every other module in the assembly. Integral to each moduleis the building block portion of the module together with means forinterfitting one module with another. The module has a generally cubicalshape with a central square indentation in a plurality of the faces.Extending outward from the block are a plurality of square shapedprojections which are dimensioned to fit into the central indenta tionon the face of another module.

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 isa perspective view of a moduleembodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two interfitted modulesembodying theinvention.

DESCRIPTION or AN ILLUSTRATIVE PEMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows the basic module10 of the building I I block s et. Module 10 is a generally cubicconfiguration in'which each face, for example, face 12, has a squareshape which is three units in length on each side. At the center of eachface, for example, face 12, is a one unit by one unit square indentation13. Eccentrically positioned with respect to the center of 'the face 12,and extending perpendicularly upward from that face isa pro jection 14.Projection 14 extends two units in length outward from face 12.Conveniently, but not necessarily, the projections which extend outwardfrom the face t1 of the module are either one unit or two units inlength. For example, projection 15 extends one unit in length outwardfrom the surface of face 16 which is the face 7 opposite to that of face12. It is also possible to have more than one projection from anindividual face. For example, projecting from face 17 of module 10 is apro jection 18 that is one unit in length and a second projection 19which istwo units in length.

By inserting.- any of the projections of one module into the centralindentation in one of the faces of a sec-- ond module, the two modulesmay be interfitted. Inthis way, any number of modules may be interfittedto'create an almost infinite variety of constructive assemblies. Itshould be apparent that when, as with face 17, projections of differentlengths are located adjacent to each other on the same face, it isimpossible to insert the shorter projection into an indentation of asecond module. In such a circumstance, the shorter projection acts as astop to prevent insertion of the longer extension to a depth exceedingthe difference in length between the longer and shorter extensions.

FIG. 2 shows a first module 10 interfitted with a second module 20 toillustrate the manner in which two modules may be interfitted to form aconstruction assembly.

Although it has been indicated that the projections extend upwardseither one unit or two units in length, this, of course, is not alimitation. The projections need not be of integral unit length and canbe less than one unit, or more than two units in length. However, aprojection less than one unit in length would decrease the interfittingdimension (the extent to which two adjacent modules would be interfittedor interlocked) and would therefore decrease the stability of theconnected units without achieving corresponding advantages. Further, aprojection more than two units in length could, when inserted into asecond module, interfere with a projection of a third module when it isinserted into the second module. Similarly, projections in excess of onecube nor is it necessary to have a central indentation in each face ofthe module. It should be also apparent that various configurations ofthe basic embodiment could be provided depending upon the number andlocation of the projections from the face of the basic module.

It should be further apparent that modules having different projectionconfigurations, and therefore not identical to each other, could beinterfitted one with the other. However, since this practice wouldincrease manufacturers costs, create inventory problems and needlesslycomplicate a simple arrangement, it should be noted that while such asystem is within the comtemplation of this invention, its use is notrecommended.

Numerous variations of my invention could be envisioned by those skilledin the art without departing from the intended scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A module for a modular construction block set having modules whichinterfit to form a desired construction assembly, each modulecomprising:

a cube, wherein a plurality of faces of the cube include an indentation,each indentation being identically shaped and being located concentricto the face;

a plurality of projections each extending outward from a face of thecube, wherein every projection is located eccentric to the face fromwhich it extends;

every projection has a cross-sectional shape identical to the shape ofthe indentations in the faces; and every projection has across-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of theindentation to permit the projections to be inserted in the indentation;each module being thereby adapted to interfit with another module byinserting a projection of one module into an indentation of the othermodule. 2. A module for a modular construction block set having moduleswhich interfit to form a desired construction assembly, each modulecomprising:

a block of generally cubical shape, wherein every face of the block is asquare having side dimensions of three units in length; and a pluralityof the faces of the block include a square shaped indentation locatedconcentric to the face and having side dimensions of one unit in length;and a projection extending perpendicularly outward from a face of theblock, wherein said projection is located eccentric to the face fromwhich it extends; and said projection has a square cross-sectional shapehaving a side dimension of one unit in length; each module being therebyadapted to interfit with another module by inserting a projection of onemodule into an indentation of the other module. 3. A module inaccordance with claim 2 wherein each projection is either one unit ortwo units in length.

1. A module for a modular construction block set having modules whichinterfit to form a desired construction assembly, each modulecomprising: a cube, wherein a plurality of faces of the cube include anindentation, each indentation being identically shaped and being locatedconcentric to the face; a plurality of projections each extendingoutward from a face of the cube, wherein every projection is locatedeccentric to the face from which it extends; every projection has across-sectional shape identical to the shape of the indentations in thefaces; and every projection has a cross-sectional area smaller than thecross-sectional area of the indentation to permit the projections to beinserted in the indentation; each module being thereby adapted tointerfit with another module by inserting a projection of one moduleinto an indentation of the other module.
 2. A module for a modularconstruction block set having modules which interfit to form a desiredconstruction assembly, each module comprising: a block of generallycubical shape, wherein every face of the block is a square having sidedimensions of three units in length; and a plurality of the faces of theblock include a square shaped indentation located concentric to the faceand having side dimensions of one unit in length; and a projectionextending perpendicularly outward from a face of the block, wherein saidprojection is located eccentric to the face from which it extends; andsaid projection has a square cross-sectional shape having a sidedimension of one unit in length; each module being thereby adapted tointerfit with another module by inserting a projection of one moduleinto an indentation of the other module.
 3. A module in accordance withclaim 2 wherein each projection is either one unit or two units inlength.